WASP @Jaxx
by jessebleu on 3/15/10Jaxx Nightclub - SpringfieldWASP of course was great...the venue's sound system was far too loud for the size of the club...a lot of distortion. We traveled 10 hrs to see them in Virginia, and we would do it again!
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About
Shock-rockers W.A.S.P. are one of the most enduring acts to come out of the early '80s metal scene in Los Angeles, recording and touring well into the 2010s and 2020s. Earning a polarizing reputation for their wildly transgressive live acts and overall debauchery -- including throwing raw meat into the audience -- W.A.S.P. continue to represent music at its most provocative and theatrical.
W.A.S.P. formed in 1982 in Los Angeles. The original lineup included Blackie Lawless, Randy Piper, Rik Fox, and Tony Richards. Their debut single was "Animal (F*** Like A Beast)." Soon, however, Fox left and was replaced by Don Costa, and later Brayden Parker on bass.
Around this time, guitarist Chris Holmes joined the band. With their lineup intact, W.A.S.P. signed to Capitol Records and released their 1984 self-titled debut album. "Animal (F*** Like A Beast)" was omitted from the album to prevent it from being banned in most major chain stores. W.A.S.P. also embarked on their first major world tour and were joined by a number of era-specific acts, such as KISS, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, and Metallica.
Their sophomore album, The Last Command, came out in 1985 and featured the Lawless-penned song "Blind in Texas." It also became W.A.S.P.'s highest-charting album, peaking at No. 47 on the Billboard 200. The Last Command also featured a new drummer, Steve Riley.
After The Last Command tour, Piper left the band and was replaced by former King Kobra bassist Johnny Rod. The mid-'80s were likewise a dangerous time to be a member of W.A.S.P., as Tipper Gore's Parents Music Resource Center made them a target of criticism for their overtly sexual lyrics and violent stage antics. This reached such a fever pitch that venues would receive bomb threats and Lawless was shot at twice.
Still, W.A.S.P. kept going and released their third album, 1986's Inside the Electric Circus, and toured with peers like Iron Maiden, Slayer, Raven, and Saxon. The following year, they released the live album Live...In the Raw.
A low point hit when W.A.S.P. appeared in Penelope Spheeris' 1988 heavy metal documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, where Holmes is shown wasted and belligerent, floating in his mother's pool. Many music critics have since attributed this scene -- and the film in general -- to glam metal's overall decline in popular culture, which would come to embrace grunge and thrash.
In 1989, W.A.S.P. released The Headless Children, but they collectively felt that their popularity had cratered. They disbanded soon after, and Lawless pursued a solo career. In 1990, a greatest hits album, First Blood... Last Cuts was released.
Eventually, the band reunited. In 1996, Lawless and Holmes recruited bassist Mike Duda and drummer Stet Howland for 1996's Still Not Black Enough. Together, they recorded 1997's K.F.D., 1999's Helldorado, 2001's Unholy Terror, and 2002's Dying For The World.
In 2006, Howland left the band and was replaced by drummer Mike Dupke, who played with the band for nearly the next decade. Throughout that time, W.A.S.P. would release another spate of albums, including 2004's conceptual The Neon God, Pt. 1: The Rise and The Neon God: Part 2 - The Demise, 2006's Dominator, 2009's Babylon, and 2015's Golgotha. In 2018, Napalm Records released ReIdolized: The Soundtrack to the Crimson Idol, which featured the DVD/Blu-ray film and the original LP plus four previously unreleased songs. In 2022, W.A.S.P. embarked on their 40th anniversary tour: 40 Years World Tour 2022.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 Perfect Show
by Tarvos on 3/14/10Jaxx Nightclub - SpringfieldWow! Where to begin? First of all, it was a lot of metal for the money...a slew of opening acts kicked off the show...and honestly I had never heard of any of them but became interested in Euro-metal act Rain and Canadian band Warmachine. W.A.S.P. finally appeared and it was well worth the wait! For my money, they played every song I was craving to hear and kicked out the metal jams with plenty of energy and loudness. Of course, being lucky enough to get a guitar pick from guitarist Doug Blair as well as meet him after the show always adds that special touch, but that's how I roll...Bottom line: If you're looking for a good ol' fashioned heavy metal show...go see W.A.S.P. baby, yeah!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5by joepafan1 on 3/14/10Jaxx Nightclub - Springfield Awesome show!!! B. Lawless has still got it after all these years. His voice is a strong as it was 25 years ago and he still knows how to use it. Although the venue was a relatively small venue, WASP put on a first class show as if they were playing for 25,000. One of the better live vocal performances I've seen in many a year. Would definitely recommend that others catch this show when it arrives in your town, especially if it's in a smaller venue.
Rating: 5 out of 5 W.A.S.P were amazing!!!!
by robble on 3/14/10Jaxx Nightclub - SpringfieldW.A.S.P were in fine form at Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, Va. After driving 5 hours to get there we weren't dissapointed! Great setlist and great musicianship!!! If you are a fan of 80's metal do not miss W.A.S.P. It was a high energy headbanging show from start to finish.
Rating: 4 out of 5by Anonymous on 3/14/10Jaxx Nightclub - Springfield WASP was expectedly awesome. However I wish Jaxx would let WASP come on earlier and play for longer. I don't like seeing 5 opening bands when I could be listening to the main band playing for a little longer. 5 is just a little too much and causes me to intentionally arrive to concerts late.
Rating: 4 out of 5 WASP Still Rocks!!!
by Eddie7 on 3/14/10Starland Ballroom - SayrevilleOver two decades after their smash hit "Wild Child", W.A.S.P. is still making new music. The concert at Starland was awesome. Lawless still sounds the same as he did back in the 80's and he surrounded himself with musicians that enjoy being up on stage to put on a great show. The only thing preventing this from being a 5 star review is that the set wasn't very long, 1 hr 20 min....and they left out some of their best hits like "Forever Free" and "Animal". The encore was only one song, although it was a great one, I wish they would have stayed on about 20 minutes longer, but when they come around again, I will definately be there.
Rating: 4 out of 5 25 years and still kickin'
by Flyersrich on 3/13/10Starland Ballroom - SayrevilleWith Lawless as the only original member left WASP put on a pretty good show. While age is starting to show on him, his voice is not in question. They played almost exclusively material up to Crimson Idol and every song had the video playing behind them perfectly in sync. Lawless's belief system has changed quite a bit from the times of Animal (which they did and will not play) as he even cut out a couple of words from Chainsaw Charlie. All and all it was a good show and they are still worth seeing (I drove 90 minutes each way to see them).
Rating: 5 out of 5 W.A.S.P. is Awesome!
by antalbert on 3/13/10Starland Ballroom - SayrevilleSecond time seeing them there at the Starland...Get as close as you want and experience heavy metal at its finest! Great show!!!
Rating: 4 out of 5 W.A.S.P.
by JefSkippy on 3/13/10Starland Ballroom - SayrevilleW.A.S.P. put on a great live show. Blacky and the Boys are back for the attack. They are one of the few bands who use video screens when they play clubs. They played most of their popular songs plus a few new ones. W.A.S.P. rock for about 90 minutes. You wish they played longer. But there is no fat in their set. There are no lengthy solos or excessive chatter, just lots of kicking rock and roll.
Rating: 5 out of 5 W.A.S.P.! See 'em!
by Empuredrummer on 3/8/10Alrosa Villa - ColumbusWhy don't they play larger venues? What an incredible show! Great performers, and phenominal music. They rock harder than most, and do it with finesse!
Rating: 5 out of 5 w.a.s.p was awesome!!!!
by blsmom on 3/7/10Alrosa Villa - ColumbusW.a.s.p Put on a great show. They rocked non stop one song right into another. They were the best band I have ever seen rock in a bar. You definetly get your moneys worth seeing this band. I would go back for more for sure.
Rating: 4 out of 5by Deidle on 3/6/10Alrosa Villa - Columbus Was very enjoyable. Brought back old good times and memories
Rating: 4 out of 5 Was a very odd show
by KissDynasty on 3/6/10Alrosa Villa - ColumbusShow was OK. There was underlying issues that made this show less than 100% enjoyable. I have attempted to describe some but this site will not let me name them.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wasp rocked
by DJ776677 on 3/2/10galaxy theater - santa anawe are that Idaho couple that hotmamma met at the Galaxy, and if i can get this review site to stop telling me I've typed in inappropriate language, I'll finish this review. If you haven't seen Wasp, then for heaven's sake, get thee to a show. We are heading to Tucson at the end of the month to see Wasp again. My wife was amazed at Lawless's voice--she's a country fan at heart, but after the show she stole all my Wasp cds and I may never get them back--she said she's going to wear them out. Wasp was clean enough to take your kids to. Loud and heavy, wild and crazy, and fun.
Rating: 5 out of 5 WASP in San Diego!!! California is burning!!
by foreverfree on 3/1/104th and B - San DiegoWASP still is the best heavy metal band ever! They combine the strong voice of Balckie Lawless, with great lyrics and incendiary guitars and battery! Heavy metal fans should not miss this show!
Rating: 5 out of 5 wasp show at 4th and b
by Anonymous on 3/1/104th and B - San Diegowasp has never disappointed when it comes to playing live. i will continue to go see them until they quit or i am dead
Rating: 4 out of 5 W.A.S.P. ROCKED
by HotMammma on 2/28/10Galaxy Theatre - Santa AnaI hadn't been to the Galaxy Theatre in more than 12 years when I saw Dharma Tribe - my baby's dady's band play. It was much different - less of a "club" than a theater. Although WASP went on 4th making their start time somwhere near 11:30 p.m., they put on a terrific show. I knew absolutely nothing about the previous 3 bands, but they all stepped up and did a terrific job. I LOVED that I had "reserved" seating at a table and didn't have to stand or be crushed in the throng in the pit. I had a clear view of the stage which security did their best to keep unobstructed. And security had their hands full with the idiots in the pit trying to mosh when everyone was packed in like tiny fish in a tin can... All in all, my experience was great. The food wasn't ridiculously priced, and was actually quite tasty - the serving sizes rocked as much as the show! I plan to return in the coming months for some awesome shows, including the B-52's and Modern English. :) If you find yourself with nothing to do on a Saturday night, check out Gallaxy Theater and I bet you will be able to happily fill the evening!